The Toronto Maple Leafs enter the 2025-26 NHL season with a renewed focus and a restructured roster. After another early playoff exit, the team made significant changes, including the departure of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, and Auston Matthews is expected to take on greater responsibility both on and off the ice.
During the offseason, the Maple Leafs have been active in the free-agent market, looking to bolster their forward depth. The team made strategic acquisitions, adding players such as Matias Maccelli and Nicolas Roy, aiming to strengthen both their top-six and bottom-six forward lines.
Despite these additions, the team continues to monitor any opportunities in the free-agent market to further improve their roster. However, in recent hours it has emerged that Matthews and Toronto are facing increasing competition from two Canadian teams in the pursuit of a top-tier unrestricted free agent (UFA).
Who is the top-tier UFA that interests the Maple Leafs?
The top-tier free agent drawing competitive interest for the Maple Leafs is none other than Jack Roslovic, who played for the Carolina Hurricanes last NHL season. Toronto has reportedly signaled a strong desire to bring him in.
Jack Roslovic #96 of the Carolina Hurricanes reacts as he is named “second star” following their 4-0 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center at Lenovo Center on May 10, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Despite the Leafs’ interest, Roslovic is also reportedly being courted by two Canadian franchises, the Vancouver Canucks and the Montreal Canadiens, as NHL insider Pierre McGuire explained on the Toronto Sports Rusher podcast.
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“I think Toronto’s got a legitimate chance. I also think, again, Vancouver probably has a very good chance at him as well,” McGuire shared, adding that Montreal is deeply interested in signing Roslovic. Only time will tell where this highly coveted free agent will land.
